Are you interested in nature? Do you like to take pictures?

If so, taking pictures OF nature is a great way to learn about the outdoors, become a better photographer AND have fun -- all at the same time. And what better place to start than your own backyard or garden?

These kids did just that, and now their work is on the WorldWideWeb for all to see.

If you're under 16 and would like to participate in the Young Garden Photographer's competiton, check the links at the bottom of this page. If you're older than 16, there are categories for you, too!

1st Place
Fergus Gill
Perthishire, Scotland
Age 15

Life in the Garden
Partridge Reflection

A Red legged partridge sitting on the stone window sill outside our kitchen. On a summers day two partridges came into the garden to feed on seed dropped from the bird feeders, one of them got curious and jumped up to the window and looked into the house.

"I noticed these two partridges in the field opposite my house as I walked home from school, by the time I got my camera the two birds had come into the garden and were eating bird seed. As one jumped up to the window I couldn’t believe what I was seeing and grabbed a shot before it jumped back down..."

2nd Place
Richard Stark
Middlesex, England
Age 15

My Garden
Orb

"I took this photo of my garden and pond in winter time. I decided to turn it into an orb so that you have to look through the effect to see the garden. The photo sets the water against the planting giving the orb two contrasting halves. I received my first camera for a Christmas present and experimented with it by taking photos from around my garden..."

3rd Place
Kat Waters
Surrey, England
Age 14

Trees
Shadow

"I took my camera out, hoping to get some good shots. I spotted these amazing shadows in a pool of light on a tree trunk. The shadows really were that vivid green – no Photoshop involved!"

Juliette Colaco
Cambridge, England
Age 15

Life in the Garden
In the Runner Beans

A green shield bug camouflaged amoungst the runner beans. "My sister is doing photography A-level and encouraged me to take many photographs. I started really enjoying photography and taking a camera everywhere. Summer is my favourite month of the year, and I wanted to have lots of photographs showing all the different aspects of the season..."

Christian Marot
Surrey, England
Age 12

Garden Views
Through the Hole

A view through a sculpture (Large Two Forms - Henry Moore) taken from inside, looking across the gardens, featuring a small girl. "I wanted to get a different perspective of the gardens and went inside the sculpture looking outwards. A girl walked into view and suddenly I spotted that the shape of her hat was similar to the sculpture and the hedge behind her so I quickly snapped it..."

Will Jenkins
London, England
Age 5

Life in the Garden
My brother loves Snails

My big brother (age 6) with Sam his favourite friendly garden snail who he found on a Hosta plant in our garden. "We were so happy playing in the garden that after our snail races, Harry let all the snails crawl all over him. He wondered what it would feel like if they crawled on his nose. Mummy was laughing so much, she could not hold her camera still and I asked her if I could take some photos. I said that I liked his new nose better than his old one. Sam the snail was not hurt at all and lived in a little house in the garden all summer."

Zoe Withey
Berkshire. England
Age 11

Trees
Pine

A leaning pine I saw when I was visiting Kew Gardens in January.

"I liked the shape of the tree against the clear blue winter sky and the way it was leaning. All the branches were at the top so you could see the texture of the trunk all the way up."

Graeme Smith
Norway
Age 15

Plant Portraits
Red Poppies

This close-up shot of a group of red poppies was taken in Aviemore, Scotland while on vacation.

"While on an early morning walk I found this cluster of poppies and decided they were worth taking some pictures of."

Fergus Gill
Perthsire, Scotland
Age 15

Life in the Garden
Hovering Tree Sparrow

A Tree sparrow hovering beside a mixed seeder feeder in my back garden. Taken after school on a summer's night from a hide. "I am lucky enough to have a flock of 30 or so tree sparrows living in my garden and on a summers night I’d fill up the bird feeders after school and try to photograph the sparrows in flight as the light was beautiful..."

Raphaella Philcox
Warwickshire, England
Age 10

Life in the Garden
Come back Ken, I want my sunglasses!

"Deep in the foliage, Ken decides to have fun with Barbie. It was a hot summer’s day, and Barbie, Ken and their friends were relaxing in the garden. Not one to enjoy sunbathing, Ken decided that it would be more fun to tease Barbie, and run off with her sunglasses into the bushes. He thought he looked quite good in pink, but she wasn’t so impressed." "I don’t actually play with my Barbies, but they are good props. I enjoy creating photo-stories using my toys and the Barbies around my house and garden. I had some story lines in my head, and set up a series of shots around the trees and plants..."

More Youth Photo Finalists:
http://www.igpoty.com/winners_Ygpoty.asp

Youth Photo Commendations:
http://www.igpoty.com/gallery_Ygpoty.asp

Tips for Young Photographers:
http://www.igpoty.com/YGPOTY.asp

Learn about the Entering 2009 Competition:
http://www.igpoty.com/Help.asp